FG urges Greens and PDs to back Mahon motion
Fine Gael tonight called on the Greens and Progressive Democrats to back its Dáil motion supporting the work of the Mahon Tribunal.
The main Opposition party published the wording of a Private Members’ Motion reaffirming confidence in the planning corruption inquiry.
PD leader Mary Harney and Greens' leader John Gormley have both endorsed the work of the Tribunal in recent days even though Government ministers criticised its “prurient” questioning of the Taoiseach’s financial affairs.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and his Labour counterpart Eamon Gilmore have reiterated calls for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to step down over allegations that he hasn’t paid his taxes.
Mr Ahern, who is on an official trip to southern Africa, described Mr Kenny’s claims as “a bare-faced lie.”
Fine Gael is also expected to call on the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) to look into the controversy surrounding the Taoiseach’s tax affairs.
The Taoiseach is due to return home to the political controversy on Friday. The Dáil resumes on January 30.
Front bench member Phil Hogan said the motion will allow all members of the Dáil and Cabinet to vote on a matter of huge importance.
“We will see if the Fianna Fáil Ministerial attack dogs have any bite when it comes to this vote,” he said.
“In addition, I look forward to John Gormley, Mary Harney and their party members voting in line with their publicly stated support for the Mahon Tribunal.
The Fine Gael motion says: “That Dáil Eireann reaffirms its confidence in the Mahon Tribunal, and its belief that the Tribunal is acting independently, without bias and within the remit contained in the terms of reference set by the Oireachtas.”
